Sections

Nodule measurement streamlined with space-scale analysisNovember 25, 2008 -- Researchers from Florence, Italy, have developed a robust and accurate method of measuring most lung nodules, improving the odds that growing lesions can be detected at CT with greater accuracy and reproducibility compared to current methods that rely on prior segmentation of the CT data.

Dual-time-point FDG-PET/CT improves breast imaging accuracyNovember 18, 2008 -- Recent study results suggest that dual-time-point imaging with acquisition in the prone position improves PET/CT accuracy in patients with suspected breast cancer over single-time-point PET/CT. However, for lesions smaller than 10 mm, MRI shows higher sensitivity and should be preferred, according to the researchers.

Single-session breast radiotherapy safe for pregnant women, study findsNovember 17, 2008 -- Breast-conservation surgery becomes an option for pregnant women in their third trimester. For many of these women, radiation therapy can safely be postponed until after birth. But the option of breast-conserving surgery may become available to all pregnant women if electron-beam intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) is used.

Study reports link between breast toxicity and timing of rad therapyNovember 17, 2008 -- The timing of treatment for breast cancer patients receiving external-beam radiation therapy (EBRT) following intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) may be an important factor in preventing toxicity. Patients who receive EBRT sooner than five or six weeks after receiving IORT may have a higher risk of developing chronic late toxicity, according to a study by German researchers.

Negative coronary calcium scores in the young can understate plaque burdenNovember 11, 2008 -- NEW ORLEANS - Among apparently healthy people under age 35 at risk of sudden death, negative coronary calcium scores do not necessarily signal the absence of atherosclerotic plaque, according to research presented on Monday at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2008.

MRI shows prowess in diabetic foot with osteomyelitisNovember 10, 2008 -- Italian researchers have concluded that MRI shows high sensitivity for detecting osteomyelitis in a diabetic foot, but lower specificity related to Charcot neuropathic osteoarthropathy. The study comes from Carlo Poma Hospital and was published online on October 25 by La Radiologia Medica.

SPECT ties functional brain abnormalities to fibromyalgiaNovember 7, 2008 -- Using SPECT, researchers in France have detected functional abnormalities in certain regions of the brain in fibromyalgia patients. The findings support the idea that fibromyalgia symptoms are related to a dysfunction in the parts of the brain where pain is processed.

Model finds small polyp surveillance safe, cost-effectiveNovember 4, 2008 -- A new model analysis concludes that surveillance of small (6- to 9-mm) colorectal polyps is both safe and cost-effective compared to immediate polypectomy, which suffers from relatively high costs, rare complications, and above all a low yield for colorectal cancer in lesions smaller than 10 mm in diameter.

HF weekly radiation effective for elderly breast cancer patientsOctober 30, 2008 -- Results of a clinical study at the Institut Curie in Paris verify that patients with nonmetastatic breast cancer can achieve the same long-term outcomes with conservative surgery followed by weekly high-frequency (HF) radiotherapy as patients who receive conservative surgery followed by daily radiation therapy.